5 h. ago Moving the Goalposts | How the Netherlands’ Euro 2025 campaign turned into the Andries Jonker show

The coach, who is leaving this summer, reopened an old wound just days before the tournament but have the fights with the media brought the squad closer together?It was the tournament where the Netherlands were going to show they could survive the group of death. That they were not too old and that Vivianne Miedema and Daniëlle van de Donk could still shine at the very highest level.And then it all turned into the Andries Jonker show. At the start of the year the coach was told that his contract with the Dutch Lionesses would not be extended and that he would leave after the European Championship. He was not happy about it. The 62-year-old made it quite clear what he thought about the decision. Continue reading...

Politics

5 h. ago Lions captain Maro Itoje backs Owen Farrell for England return

Former captain Farrell is eligible for England again after agreeing a return to Saracens for next season from Racing 92.

Politics

9 h. ago Owen Farrell closes in on Lions return: ‘He’s not missed a beat’

The 33-year-old is in line to make the first appearance of his fourth Lions tour in Adelaide

Politics

11 h. ago Owen Farrell in line for Lions return after first full training session

The 33-year-old is in line to make the first appearance of his fourth Lions tour in Adelaide.

Politics

50 h. ago Scratchy Lions win has simplified the Test selection equation for Andy Farrell | Robert Kitson

Time has come for head coach to cease experimenting and get down to business as Lions need to go all out or go homeFor some reason Dame Edna Everage sprang to mind in the wake of the British & Irish Lions’ less-than-marvellous display against the NSW Waratahs on Saturday. As Edna once waspishly told a fellow grand dame: “I’m trying to find a word to describe your outfit affordable.” It was not dissimilar to the lacklustre Lions in Sydney: all dressed up and nowhere to hide.It has been an awkward few days all round, with increasing amounts of potential comedic ammunition available to Aussie hecklers. “Mr Farrell, welcome to our hotel, we’ve held the family suite for you.” “Mate, was the pitch really damp on Saturday or were you blokes just wallowing in your own mediocrity?” It is reaching the point where the Lions need to start delivering a few short sharp punchlines of their own. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Sarina Wiegman: ‘My England players can say I’m direct but I am not blunt’

Lionesses coach heads into Euro 2025 having won the last two tournaments, but with some questioning her approach for first time

Sport

1 week ago England wish Bonmatí speedy recovery from viral meningitis on eve of Euro 2025

Midfielder’s condition ‘controlled’ say doctorsSpain kick off Euro 2025 against Portugal on 3 JulyEngland have sent their best wishes to the Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmatí for a speedy recovery in time for the European Championship after the Ballon d’Or winner was admitted to hospital with viral meningitis.The head coach, Sarina Wiegman, whose Lionesses side were beaten by Spain in the 2023 World Cup final, hopes the Barcelona player can recover in time for the finals in Switzerland, which get under way on Wednesday. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Lions embrace ‘Fazball’ in attempt to seize the moment with expansive play

Lions remain committed to positive approach with ball in hand and attack coach does not want them to tighten upIn mid-November, cricket’s Ashes series will commence in the same Optus Stadium where the British & Irish Lions will kick off their tour of Australia on Saturday. There are some keen cricket fans within the Lions squad who stayed up late to watch England’s compelling final-day win at Headingley, but out on the training pitch the collective priority is not so much Bazball as its oval-shaped cousin, Fazball.Andy Farrell, the Lions head coach, has been at pains since his squad’s arrival here to make two things clear. The first is that preparation time is of the essence and should not be wasted by endlessly second-guessing what might lie ahead. The second is that the touring side can not afford to retreat into their tactical shells after their loss to Argentina in Dublin last Friday. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Joe Schmidt hits back at British and Irish Lions over demands to release Australia stars for tour games

Wallabies coach standing his ground after Lions CEO Ben Calveley warning as war of words escalates before first tour match

Events

2 w. ago Joe Schmidt rejects Lions demands to release Australia stars for tour games

Wallabies coach says agreement is not to release all playersSchmidt highlights clash between Waratahs and Fiji gamesThe Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has hit back at the British and Irish Lions management, insisting Australia are adhering to the tour agreement regarding the release of international players for pre-Test games and that his front-line home players were only unavailable because they were preparing to face Fiji on Sunday week.The issue has flared up again this week after the Lions chief executive, Ben Calveley, said he expected Schmidt to release Wallaby players back to their Super Rugby franchises for their respective games against the touring team. Some fringe Wallabies are due to feature for Western Force this Saturday but it is set to be a different story for the subsequent games against the Reds, the Waratahs and the Brumbies. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Wallabies coach hits back at Lions as breach of contract row ramps up

The first week in Australia has already seen some strong words between the Wallabies and the British and Irish Lions

Events

2 w. ago Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt rejects Lions’ demands as player release row rumbles on

The Lions have demanded that the Australia coach release more of his squad to feature in the tour games ahead of the three-Test series

Economics

2 w. ago Finn Russell identified as Lions’ ‘danger man’ ahead of clash with Western Force

Kurtley Beale sees Ikitau and Suaali as keys to Wallabies’ hopesAustralia back says he learned from infamous slip in 2013 seriesFormer Wallabies back Kurtley Beale has singled out Finn Russell as the biggest threat to Australia’s prospects of victory against the visiting British & Irish Lions. Beale, a leading figure in the 2013 Lions series, has also warned his compatriots to brace themselves for a “juggernaut” of a rugby experience when the tour kicks off this Saturday.Beale’s infamous slip as he went to kick a potential match-clinching penalty in the first Test in Brisbane had a key bearing on the outcome 12 years ago. But the 36-year-old now believes Russell holds the key to the forthcoming series. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Kurtley Beale picks out Lions’ ‘danger man’ Russell as biggest threat to Australia

Former Wallaby sees Ikitau and Suaali as hosts’ keysAustralia back says he learned from slip in 2013 seriesThe former Wallabies back Kurtley Beale has singled out Finn Russell as the biggest threat to Australia’s prospects of victory against the visiting British & Irish Lions. Beale, a leading figure in the 2013 Lions series, has also warned his compatriots to brace themselves for a “juggernaut” of a rugby experience when the tour kicks off this Saturday.Beale’s infamous slip as he went to kick a potential match-clinching penalty in the first Test in Brisbane had a key bearing on the outcome 12 years ago. But the 36-year-old now believes Russell holds the key to the forthcoming series. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Beale picks out Lions’ ‘danger man’ Russell as biggest threat to Australia

Former Wallaby sees Ikitau and Suaali as hosts’ keysAustralia back says he learned from slip in 2013 seriesThe former Wallabies back Kurtley Beale has singled out Finn Russell as the biggest threat to Australia’s prospects of victory against the visiting British & Irish Lions. Beale, a leading figure in the 2013 Lions series, has also warned his compatriots to brace themselves for a “juggernaut” of a rugby experience when the tour kicks off this Saturday.Beale’s infamous slip as he went to kick a potential match-clinching penalty in the first Test in Brisbane had a key bearing on the outcome 12 years ago. And the 36-year-old now believes Russell holds the key to the forthcoming series. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago New Zealand ad campaign to make country ‘best place in the world to have herpes’ wins top prize at Cannes Lions

Retro-style tourism video fronted by a former All Blacks coach won the Cannes Lions grand prix for good awardA public health advertisement that campaigned to make New Zealand “the best place in the world to have herpes” has won a top prize at the Cannes Lions – one of world’s most prestigious advertising awards.The campaign, launched by the New Zealand Herpes Foundation in October last year, attempts to challenge decades of entrenched stigma around genital herpes – a condition that affects up to 80% of New Zealanders at some point in their lives, the foundation said. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Andy Farrell’s Lions land in Australia aiming to revive the spirit of Sydney

Chest-thumping speech before the 2013 series decider is part of Lions lore and can be the head coach’s mantra for his 2025 touristsThe logistics involved in touring Australia with the British & Irish Lions have changed slightly over the years. On the first Lions tour in 1888 the 22 selected players were away from home for 249 days and, in addition to 35 games of rugby, were also required to play 19 games of what we now know as Australian rules football.It took 46 days by boat to reach their destination and attempts to hone their skills on the SS Kaikoura had to be abandoned after all the squad’s rugby balls disappeared over the side. The ship, as chronicled in the beautifully updated official history of the Lions, even had 300 stoats and weasels on board as part of a plan to deal with the rabbit population in New Zealand, their first port of call, where they played nine matches. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Lions coach provides Huw Jones update as injury concerns emerge over key duo

Scotland centre ready to play amid fears over Irish duo

Events

2 w. ago Finn Russell says Andy Farrell helped put any tension with Johnny Sexton to bed

Sexton has previously been critical of Russell.

Events

2 w. ago Shaun Edwards' true feelings on Andy Farrell as he ordered boss to make decision

Edwards and Lions head coach Farrell were team-mates in their playing days before becoming two of the best rugby union coaches in the world

Events